Lovemore thriving

LOVING IT: Former Waitakere striker Sean Lovemore is the second leading goal-scorer in the ASB Premiership for Hawke’s Bay.

Sean Lovemore is getting the best of both worlds.

The 20-year-old former Waitakere United striker is plying his trade for Hawke's Bay United, but has never really left the city he calls home.

Now he's preparing for his biggest task of the season yet - taking on his old club at Fred Taylor Park on Sunday afternoon.

"It will be interesting, I'm looking forward to the challenge," Lovemore says.

"It was nothing personal when I left and was purely about getting more game time."

Lovemore, who still lives in Howick, is clocking up the mileage as he journeys south-east for training and home games, usually with fellow Auckland-based team-mate and former Waitakere midfielder Ross Haviland, who is now injured.

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Lovemore signed with the Napier-based club after two years predominantly on the bench for Waitakere.

And he is having a blinder in his new stripes.

Lovemore is second only to Manawatu's Tom Mosquera for leading goals scored, with six from five games.

"It's always hard work at training and on the pitch, but the boys are behind me and for that I'm very grateful.

"It's the striker's job to be scoring goals, but our aim is firmly on securing a semifinal spot," Lovemore says.

"He's been a breath of fresh air for our attack and has been working well with Stephen Hoyle at the front. We're trying to get the very best out of every individual and Sean has a point to prove," Greatholder says

Hawke's Bay are in third place after a heavy round-five loss to Canterbury 4-0 while Waitakere are undefeated at the top.